Welcome to HVAC-Talk.com, a non-DIY site and the ultimate Source for HVAC Information & Knowledge Sharing for the industry professional! Here you can join over 150,000 HVAC Professionals & enthusiasts from around the world discussing all things related to HVAC/R. You are currently viewing as a NON-REGISTERED guest which gives you limited access to view discussions

To gain full access to our forums you must register; for a free account. As a registered Guest you will be able to:

Participate in over 40 different forums and search/browse from nearly 3 million posts.

union vs. non-union

i am considering moving to phoenix. i am currently a union apprentice in ohio. i am not sure of staying in the union when i move there. when i look at non-union job offers in the phoenix area, they are very competitve with the union. in which will i stay more busy?

I used to work non-union for 3 years, treated like dog sht, 8am start and 2am finish everyday off either 1 sat or 1 sun every other week in the winter months, 8-8 in summer months and spring and fall 15-20hrs a week, they didnt care . went union 2 years ago and now work 40-50 hours a week have weekends off if i want, if im falling short on hours im told to go do maintance on some of our big accounts. Safety is always #1. wouldnt trade the union for nothin, best move i ever made and will not leave it for nothing.
Proud L.U. 597 member
chicago local

I have been working non-union for the majority of my career and been "jerked around", lied to, promised the world and given the dung heap. Three weeks ago, my current employer took away insurance as we know it and went with a "high deductible" medical savings plan where all medicasl expenses come out of the employee's pocket until $6000 is reached, and then it's limited coverage. This is on top of all the other cuts and charges placed upon the techs.

I was just recently offered a job with a union company. I have been staunchly non-union for most of my life. But experience has shown me that the majority of non-union companies (at least in this area) tend to take advantage of the HVAC tech- lower wages, minimal benefits, and long hours with minimum compensation. And retirement? Ha! Ha! Ha! Good luck!

Unions have gotten a bad rap. Without the unions, things would probably be even worse for non-union techs. If the unions would gain strength and begin expanding again, things might actually improve somewhat for non-union workers. I think we in the non-union ranks have come to believe the non-union propoganda that has been spread over the years. It's regretable that we have allowed ourselves to be abused for so long.

I have been to the hall and talked with the union aficionados. They were straight up with me and told me both the good things and the things that need improvement in the union. I can respect that. My decision is indeed to go union. I am going to accept the position. Furthermore, I will indeed help spread the truth about benefits of union membership.

See, the human mind is kind of like... a piñata. When it breaks open, there's a lot of surprises inside. Once you get the piñata perspective, you see that losing your mind can be a peak experience. ~Jane Wagner